The recipient entity's physical address:
           1377 Annunciation Street
New Orleans, LA 70130

The recipient entity's mailing address (if different):
           1377 Annunciation Street
New Orleans, LA 70130

Type of Entity (for instance, a nonprofit corporation):  Non-Profit Corporation

If the entity is a corporation, list the names of the incorporators:
          

The last four digits of the entity's taxpayer ID number:  3307

What is the dollar amount of the request?  $100,000

What type of request is this?  General Appropriation

Is this entity in good standing with the Secretary of State?  Yes

Provide the name of each member of the recipient entity's governing board and officers:
           Founder & CEO: Kimberly Frusciante 10 Gull Street, New Orleans, LA 70124

Board of Directors

President: Jean Paul Hymel 415 Fairway, New Orleans, 70124

Treasurer: Rachel Armentor 5615 General Haig Street, New Orleans, LA 70124

Secretary: Amanda Berger 1655 State Street, New Orleans, LA 70118

Members:

Abbie Sumners 1722 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd , New Orleans, LA 70113

Walt Leger 7822 Belfast Street, New Orleans, LA 70125

Jerel Bryant 1774 Gentilly Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70119

Laura Wilt 929 State Street, New Orleans, LA 70118

Provide a summary of the project or program:
           Early Partners (EP) respectfully requests support from the Louisiana State Legislature to expand access to high-quality early childhood education for children and families in New Orleans, while developing a replicable model that can strengthen school readiness outcomes statewide.

With this $100,000 investment, EP will grow its capacity to serve more children in a mixed-income, inclusive learning environment that consistently delivers exceptional outcomes. The expansion includes the phased addition of hybrid indoor-outdoor modular classrooms designed to meet young learners’ developmental needs. These flexible, child-centered learning spaces will allow us to increase enrollment, enhance accessibility, and preserve vital green space that supports whole-child learning—without the financial burden of large-scale infrastructure or administrative expansion.

At the core of EP’s approach is a commitment to developmentally appropriate, data-informed instruction. We use detailed observational assessments and evidence-based frameworks to tailor learning experiences to each child’s cognitive, social-emotional, and language development. Our educators—highly trained in brain science, Reggio-inspired pedagogy, and responsive care—engage in continuous cycles of assessment, reflection, and coaching. This structure yields powerful results: 100% of our PreK students leave EP kindergarten-ready, far exceeding Louisiana’s average of 60%.

This grant will support the salaries of the highly qualified educators and support staff needed to make this expansion possible. As enrollment grows, the majority of our operational costs are tied to staffing—the people who deliver the care, instruction, and developmental support that define our model. Investing in salaries allows us to maintain low adult-to-child ratios, provide consistent care, and retain the experienced, mission-driven professionals at the heart of our success.

In addition to expanding direct services, this funding helps lay the foundation for broader impact. Through peer learning partnerships and professional development efforts, EP is helping other providers strengthen early literacy instruction and improve outcomes using data-driven, developmentally appropriate strategies. As we grow, we aim to codify this work into a scalable model for the state—anchored in equity, teacher development, and family partnership.

This is a pivotal moment for Louisiana’s youngest learners. By investing in Early Partners, the Legislature will support more children and families in New Orleans—and help build a statewide model of excellence in early childhood education. Together, we can ensure more children enter kindergarten ready to thrive, and more programs are empowered to get them there.

What is the budget relative to the project for which funding is requested?:
          Salaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . $100,000
          Professional Services. . . $0
          Contracts . . . . . . . . . . . $0
          Acquisitions . . . . . . . . . $0
          Major Repairs . . . . . . . $0
          Operating Services. . . . $0
          Other Charges. . . . . . . $0

Does your organization have any outstanding audit issues or findings?  No

If 'Yes' is your organization working with the appropriate governmental agencies to resolve those issues or findings?
          Not Applicable

What is the entity's public purpose, sought to be achieved through the use of state monies?
          Early Partners (EP) exists to ensure that all children—regardless of income, zip code, or ability—enter kindergarten ready to thrive. Our public purpose is rooted in a simple but urgent goal: close the opportunity gap before it begins by delivering high-quality early childhood education during the most critical years of brain development.

With this investment from the State of Louisiana, EP will expand access to proven early learning experiences that directly advance state priorities: school readiness, improved literacy outcomes, long-term educational attainment, and economic mobility. This funding supports the salaries of early childhood educators and staff—the heart of a model that is already delivering exceptional results.

While only 60% of Louisiana children are entering kindergarten ready to learn, 100% of children leaving Early Partners meet or exceed readiness benchmarks. Our instructional model is developmentally appropriate, inclusive, and data-informed. We use detailed observations and evidence-based frameworks to personalize instruction and accelerate growth across cognitive, language, and social-emotional domains. Our teachers are trained professionals who engage in ongoing cycles of assessment, documentation, and coaching—ensuring that each child is seen, supported, and challenged at the right level.

The impact of this investment reaches far beyond one center. The children we serve today will enter school with the foundational skills they need to succeed—skills that research shows are directly tied to third-grade reading levels, high school graduation, and economic mobility. When children arrive ready to learn, the public school system works better for everyone: fewer special education referrals, reduced need for costly interventions, and higher teacher retention due to better-prepared students.

EP’s model is intentionally designed to be shared. As a demonstration site, we partner with peer centers, train educators, and support systems leaders in adopting high-impact practices that improve child outcomes. We measure what’s working, collaborate with researchers, and document our learning so others can replicate it. An investment in EP is not just an investment in one community—it’s a step toward a more equitable and effective early childhood system across Louisiana.

This funding also addresses two urgent workforce issues: the early educator shortage and the lack of career stability in the field. EP hires and retains experienced teachers by offering competitive salaries, meaningful professional development, and a workplace culture that treats early educators as professionals. Supporting salaries ensures that more children are served by consistent, qualified educators who are committed to this work long-term.

This is not charity—it’s strategy. Public investment in EP means more children ready for school, more families accessing affordable care, and more teachers staying in the profession. It’s a smart, scalable way to strengthen outcomes for children, families, and Louisiana as a whole.

By supporting this request, the State affirms what decades of research—and common sense—tell us: the earlier we invest in children, the greater the return for all of us.

What are the goals and objectives for achieving such purpose?
          The overarching goal of this project is to expand access to high-quality early childhood education in New Orleans while building a scalable model that improves kindergarten readiness, supports educator retention, and strengthens outcomes for children across Louisiana.

This purpose will be achieved through the following interrelated goals and objectives:

**Goal 1: Expand access to high-quality early childhood programming for underserved families in New Orleans.**

*Objectives:*

- Add two new classrooms during the 2025–2026 school year, increasing enrollment capacity by 24-36 children.
- Prioritize enrollment for families with limited access to care, including those utilizing public subsidies such as the City Seats program, the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), and the Early Care and Education Fund (ECEF).
- Maintain inclusive classrooms that serve children with a range of developmental needs and backgrounds.

**Goal 2: Improve kindergarten readiness for all children enrolled.**

*Objectives:*

- Ensure that at least 90% of students meet or exceed developmental benchmarks across language, cognitive, and social-emotional domains by the end of the PreK year, consistent with EP’s current 100% readiness rate.
- Use observational data and child assessments to tailor instruction and interventions, with weekly documentation and quarterly reviews by instructional leaders.
- Maintain small class sizes and low student-to-teacher ratios to support individualized instruction and nurture strong teacher-child relationships.

**Goal 3: Invest in and retain a high-quality early childhood workforce.**

*Objectives:*

- Use 100% of state funds to support salaries for lead teachers, associate teachers, and instructional support staff for the newly added classrooms.
- Retain at least 90% of teaching staff annually through fair wages, coaching, and meaningful professional development.
- Provide ongoing training in developmentally appropriate practice, child development, and data use to ensure instructional quality.

**Goal 4: Codify and share a replicable model to strengthen early childhood systems beyond EP.**

*Objectives:*

- Continue documenting EP’s instructional approach, classroom structures, and educator support systems to inform other providers across the city and state.
- Host site visits, professional development sessions, and peer learning opportunities for other early childhood leaders and educators.
- Engage in evaluation and learning partnerships to track and share key outcomes related to school readiness, teacher effectiveness, and inclusive practice.

These goals are both ambitious and achievable. They reflect EP’s commitment to continuous improvement, equity, and long-term systems change—while keeping the immediate needs of children and families front and center. With legislative support, we can scale what’s working, support the professionals doing the work, and ensure that more of Louisiana’s children start school not just ready to learn, but ready to thrive.

What is the proposed length of time estimated by the entity to accomplish the purpose?
           12 months

If any elected or appointed state official or an immediate family member of such an official is an officer, director, trustee, or employee of the recipient entity who receives compensation or holds any ownership interest therein:
     (a) If an elected or appointed state official, the name and address of the official and the office held by such person:
                
    
     (b) If an immediate family member of an elected or appointed state official, the name and address of such person; the name, address, and office of the official to whom the person is related; and the nature of the relationship:
                

     (c) The percentage of the official's or immediate family member's ownership interest in the recipient entity, if any:
                

     (d) The position, if any, held by the official or immediate family member in the recipient entity:
                 

If the recipient entity has a contract with any elected or appointed state official or an immediate family member of such an official or with the state or any political subdivision of the state:
(a) If the contract is with an elected or appointed state official, provide the name and address of the official and the office held by such person: 
               

(b) If the contract is with an immediate family member of an elected or appointed state official:
          Provide the name and address of such person:
              

          Provide the name, address, and office of the official to whom the person is related:
               

          What is the nature of the relationship? 

(c) If the contract is with the state or a political subdivision of the state, provide the name and address of the state entity or political subdivision of the state:
                

(d) The nature of the contract, including a description of the goods or services provided or to be provided pursuant to the contract:
               


Contact Information
name:  Kim Frusciante 
                                       address:  1377 Annunciation Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
                                       phone:  504-376-5110
                                       fax: 
                                       e-mail:  kim@earlypartners.org
                                       relationship to entity:  Founder & CEO